Want More Seller Leads? Add this person to your team...

Do you want to add another potential lead source for your real estate investing business?  What about being able to help your sellers at the same time? 

I wish I could take credit for thinking of this first but it was an estate sales person who approached me with a potential deal first.  A young lady who owns an estate sales company had attended an event that I spoke at and after the event she approached me with her business card. We've been doing business together ever since.   Here's some insight on what they do and how to create a win-win relationship with estate sales companies in your area. 

WHAT Do they Do:

Estate sales companies are hired to help organize and sell the belongings of people who (most commonly) have passed away or have moved into assisted living.   For a family that is dealing with such circumstances, hiring a company to help can alleviate some of that stress.  The estate sales company helps sell the items of the home that the family does not want to keep.  

WHEN Should we reach out to them: 

It might be a good idea to reach out to estate sales people right away.  Keep reading, at the end of this article I will give you exactly what to say!

WHERE can I find them: 

They are not difficult to find.  we can look them up online.  Oftentimes they will have a company facebook page.  A person can also go visit an estate sale and meet great people that way.  

WHY this relationship is so important:

Many times people will hire an estate sales company to sell items and clean up the house in order to sell the home.  If an estate salesperson has already established a relationship with the seller - they could refer you to the seller as someone who might be able to buy their house in as-is condition.  If the house needs a lot of repairs, or they want quick sale, privacy, no realtor sign in the yard, then calling us might be a great solution.  We can buy houses as-is, any condition, and can close quickly.  The estate salesperson has already gained trust and rapport with the seller - if their experience has been professional with that company then they might be open to working with you as an investor.  

 Have the estate salesperson say this to the seller, “What do you plan on doing with the house?  If you didn’t want to invest the money into making repairs, upgrades, or paying realtor fees, I know someone who buys houses in as-is condition.  They can also close quickly.”

Give the estate salesperson a stack of your business cards.  If the seller is interested, have them pass it along. 

HOW to introduce yourself as a win-win:  

First, let’s talk about what’s in it for them.  Why should the estate salesperson give us business?  Well as real estate investors we come across situations all the time where an overwhelmed family member is trying to deal with their loved ones estate.  I visit houses all the time where sellers are mourning the loss of a loved one and inherited a house that is in distress.  They called us because the home needs repairs and we can close quickly.  When we get to the house we discover that the home is full of furniture and old nick nacks.  I’ve walked into homes that are covered from floor to ceiling in God knows what.  It can be completely overwhelming for someone.  This is especially true if the family member lives out of town.  As real estate investors our job is to help solve problems and make life easier for sellers.  

Always try to add value to your sellers.

 When I find myself in a circumstance like this, I also offer to buy the house As-Is.  Meaning, the seller can take what’s important to them and leave everything else.  This alleviates the pressure on the family that the house has to be vacant before selling it.  When I buy the property, I can then hire the estate salespeople to sell what's left in the home and to do the clean out.   

In the case that my offer wasn’t accepted (happens all the time) and the seller wants to see if they can get a higher price, we always try to set the seller up for success.  I will always give sellers my preferred estate sales company’s contact information.  Always try to add value for your sellers.  They won’t forget you and it will set you apart from the competition.  If their experience was favorable and they have a change of mind or circumstance, we will be the first person they call.  

Here is an example script: 

“Hi my name is Christy Duckett.  I am a real estate investor.  From time to time I buy houses where there’s a lot of furniture and personal belongings left in the home.  Instead of throwing away all this great stuff, I’m looking to hire an estate sales company to come in and sell the items.  Is that something you would be interested in?  Also, what would be great for your company is this...My offers don’t always get accepted.  I buy houses as is, any condition, and can close quickly, BUT my offers don’t always get accepted.  However, I still like to help people.  I’d love to be able to have a company like yours that I could refer people to.  Would you be interested in being that company?  Let’s set up a time where I can grab some business cards from you!” 

When you meet up to grab a few business cards from the estate salesperson make sure to bring a stack of yours.  

“Thank you for the cards.  I look forward to sending you business. Here is a stack of my cards.  If you ever come across a situation where someone might want to sell a house in as-is condition with a quick sale, please give them my card.”  

This point of the meeting was to help the estate salesperson grow their business.  It wasn’t about us, it was about them.  As we bring them business, they will want to return the favor.  It’s Win-Win.  Take action today and reach out to an estate sales company today.  

Happy Investing!

Christy Duckett-Harris